If you have been sitting around all summer thinking, "One day, I will plant fresh greens, root veggies, herbs, and flowers," well, that "one day" is now. Yes, September in Zone 8 is your perfect 30-day opportunity to plant like an expert, and your garden will actually thank you for it.
And don't worry, I am not just throwing random advice at you. I am sharing the plants that actually grow well in September in Zone 8, no guesswork, no "maybe this works" nonsense, just practical tips that actually work.
All right then, grab your gloves, seeds, and maybe a cup of coffee — it's time to make your garden so amazing that your neighbors can't stop staring, wishing it were theirs.
Leafy Greens to Plant in September in Zone 8
Leafy greens are awesome for fall gardening. They grow well in cooler weather and keep giving you fresh veggies into winter.
In Zone 8, September is a great time to plant them straight in the ground or start them in trays to transplant later.
| Leafy Green | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Direct sow or start in trays | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 30–45 days | Romaine, Butterhead, Black Seeded Simpson |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Rarely needed | 35–50 days | Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space |
| Kale | Direct sow or start in trays | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 45–60 days | Lacinato (Dinosaur), Winterbor |
| Collards | Direct sow or start in trays | 4 weeks after sowing | 55–75 days | Georgia Southern, Champion |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow | Not required | 30–45 days | Southern Giant Curled, Mizuna |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow | Not needed | 50–60 days | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant |
| Arugula | Direct sow | Not needed | 20–30 days | Rocket, Astro |
| Leek | Start in trays | 8–10 weeks after sowing | 100–120 days | American Flag, King Richard |
| Bok Choy | Direct sow or start in trays | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 45–60 days | Joi Choi, Shanghai Bok Choy |
In early September, use a shade cloth or a light row cover to protect your young plants from the last hot days of summer and help them grow strong.
Keep soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, especially for lettuce, spinach, and kale.
Transplant seedlings only after they have 2–4 real leaves, and be careful not to hurt their roots.
Common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and slugs can damage your greens, so check your plants regularly and take action if needed.
Vegetables & Root Crops for September
This month is a great time to plant root vegetables and hardy brassicas. They do well in cooler weather and will give you fresh, tasty flavors after the first light frosts.
So, these are some vegetables and root crops that you can plant now in September for a healthy, tasty harvest this season.
| Vegetable | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Direct sow | Not needed | 60–80 days | Nantes, Danvers, Bolero |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Not needed | 25–30 days | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast |
| Beets | Direct sow | Not needed | 50–70 days | Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia |
| Turnips | Direct sow | Not needed | 40–60 days | Purple Top White Globe, Hakurei |
| Rutabaga | Direct sow | Not needed | 80–100 days | American Purple Top |
| Broccoli | Start in trays or buy seedlings | Transplant in 3–4 weeks | 60–90 days | Calabrese, DeCicco |
| Cauliflower | Start in trays or buy seedlings | Transplant in 3–4 weeks | 60–100 days | Snowball, Amazing |
| Cabbage | Start in trays or buy seedlings | Transplant in 3–4 weeks | 70–100 days | Golden Acre, Red Acre |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start in trays or buy seedlings | Transplant in 4–5 weeks | 90–120 days | Long Island Improved |
| Onion | Direct sow or seedlings | Transplant in 8–10 weeks | 90–120 days | Red Baron, Walla Walla, Yellow Sweet Spanish |
| Garlic | Cloves directly into soil | Not needed | 180–210 days | Softneck, Hardneck |
| Green Beans | Direct sow | Not needed | 50–60 days | Contender, Blue Lake |
| Peas | Direct sow | Not needed | 60–70 days | Sugar Snap, Little Marvel |
Carrot and beet seeds take up to 2 weeks to germinate, so be patient and keep the soil lightly and consistently damp until they grow.
Garlic and onions need well-drained soil and a long time to grow strong bulbs.
Don’t transplant green beans and peas, they grow best when you plant their seeds directly in the ground.
Best Flowers to Plant in September
I think this is also a great time to plant cool-season flowers that will bloom through fall and into winter. The cool-season flowers are like the show-offs of the garden, they bloom when other plants are fading away.
Just pick the right flowers and plant them now, and while other gardens look sleepy, your garden will shine with colors that will make your neighbors think you hired a pro landscaper.
Don't worry about picking the right plant, I will help you out. Just scroll down and check out the table below. It's got all the info you need, like a cheat sheet for your garden.
| Flower Name | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Bloom | Perennial or Annual | Flower Color(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pansies | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 6–8 weeks | Annual | Purple, Yellow, White, Blue, Mixed |
| Violas | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 6–8 weeks | Annual | Purple, Yellow, White, Blue, Mixed |
| Snapdragons | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 8–10 weeks | Annual | Red, Pink, White, Yellow, Orange |
| Calendula | Direct sow | N/A | 8–10 weeks | Annual | Orange, Yellow |
| Dianthus | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 8–10 weeks | Perennial | Pink, Red, White, Purple |
| Sweet Alyssum | Direct sow | N/A | 6–8 weeks | Annual | White, Purple, Pink |
| Ornamental Kale | Transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 8–10 weeks | Annual | Purple, White, Pink |
| Asters | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 8–10 weeks | Perennial | Purple, Pink, White |
| Chrysanthemums (Mums) | Transplant | 4–6 weeks after sowing | 10–12 weeks | Perennial | Yellow, White, Pink, Red, Purple |
These flowers will keep showing off their colors while other plants are like, ‘I’m out, see you next year.'
Plant seeds in bright, sunny spots with good air circulation so your seedlings get enough sunlight for photosynthesis, and the airflow prevents mold or diseases.
Use a small amount of fertilizer and water gently so the seeds don't get washed away. Also, add mulch to protect young seedlings from temperature changes.
Fruits & Berries for September in Zone 8
Zone 8 gardeners, you have a unique advantage, you can prepare now for next spring’s fruit harvests. TRUST me, September is the perfect time to get ready for next spring's fruits.
You can plant perennials now, let them chill through winter, and see them grow big and healthy in spring.
| Fruit / Berry | Planting Method | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations | Max Height | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Plant bare-root crowns or transplants | Next spring | Chandler, Sweet Charlie | 6–12 inches | Perennial |
| Raspberries | Plant bare-root canes | Next summer | Heritage, Caroline | 4–6 feet | Perennial |
| Blackberries | Plant bare-root canes | Next summer | Apache, Arapaho | 5–8 feet | Perennial |
| Blueberries | Plant young bushes | 2nd year | Legacy, O’Neal | 4–6 feet | Perennial |
| Grapes | Plant bare-root vines | 2–3 years | Concord, Flame Seedless | 6–10 feet (vine) | Perennial |
| Currants | Plant dormant bare-root plants | Next year | Red Lake, Rovada | 3–5 feet | Perennial |
| Gooseberries | Plant dormant bare-root plants | Next year | Hinnomaki Red, Invicta | 3–5 feet | Perennial |
| Kiwi (hardy types) | Plant young vines | 3rd year | Arctic Beauty, Hardy Chicago | 10–15 feet (vine) | Perennial |
| Figs | Plant young trees | 2nd year | Brown Turkey, Celeste | 10–30 feet | Perennial |
These plants are all perennials, so they will come back every year and give you fruit season after season, not just one time and then stop.
Notes:
- Strawberries: Plant them in mid to late September if you are in Zone 8.
- Kiwi (hardy varieties): Plant in early September for Zone 8.
If you start planting berries in September, always mix compost and a bit of organic fertilizer into the planting hole.
Herbs to Grow in Zone 6 in September
In Zone 8, September is a great time for planting herbs that love the cool weather and grow fast, like cilantro, parsley, chives, and dill.
The most important thing is choosing the right plants for the season, so you will have steady, fresh harvests through fall and early winter.
Don’t WORRY about choosing the right plants, I am here to help you pick the ones that grow best at this time in your area. Just take a look at the table below, and you will find all the important details you need.
| Herb | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Flavour | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | Direct sow | Not required | 30–45 days | Fresh, citrusy | Santo, Leisure |
| Parsley | Direct sow or transplant | 3–4 weeks after sowing indoors | 70–90 days | Mild, fresh | Italian Flat Leaf, Curly Moss |
| Chives | Direct sow or transplant | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 60–90 days | Mild onion | Common Chives, Garlic Chives |
| Dill | Direct sow | Not required | 40–60 days | Fresh, slightly tangy | Bouquet, Mammoth |
| Thyme | Direct sow or transplant | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 60–90 days | Earthy, slightly minty | English Thyme, French Thyme |
| Oregano | Direct sow or transplant | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 60–90 days | Robust, slightly bitter | Greek Oregano, Italian Oregano |
| Mint | Transplant or divide | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 60–90 days | Cool, refreshing | Spearmint, Peppermint |
| Sage | Direct sow or transplant | 4–6 weeks after sowing indoors | 70–90 days | Pungent, slightly peppery | Common Sage, Garden Sage |
Use well-drained soil mixed with compost or organic fertilizers. Most herbs like soil that's not too acidic, around pH 6.0–7.0.
Pick a spot with lots of sun (6+ hours a day) for most herbs. Parsley and mint are okay with some shade.
These herbs can handle light frost, but add mulch or row covers if a cold wave is coming.
